Director of Stewardship and Events
Director of Stewardship and Events
OFFICE OF COLLEGE ADVANCEMENT
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Stewardship and Events oversees the development and coordination of stewardship communications, events, and related activities to ensure individual donors and institutional grant makers are aware of the impact of their philanthropic support in a timely and relevant way. The Director takes a lead role in strengthening the College’s successful efforts in the areas of donor relations, recognition, compliance, and event management. The Director manages stewardship staff and reports to the Assistant Vice President of Development.
The Director develops a strategic plan for donor relations that aligns with and supports the Office of College Advancement’s (OCA’s) overarching priorities and objectives and produces reports to track and manage progress. This position oversees and assists with the production of tailored stewardship reports for a portfolio of current-use and endowed funds, including acquiring information on how the funds have been spent, working with recipients to create compelling stories of impact, compiling information into narrative donor reports, ensuring compliance, and writing and editing appropriate correspondence to accompany reports. The Director also collaborates with fundraisers and other partners to produce stewardship materials to advance cultivation and solicitation strategies.
The Director and his/her/their team oversee and assist with outreach to students, faculty, and senior leaders to elicit letters of appreciation and impact updates; identify and develop strategic content and messaging for reporting to donors about the College’s campaign fundraising priorities; generate regular reports and presentations about stewardship plans, timelines, and activities; and ensure the timely production of impact reports and acknowledgement letters.
Within OCA, the Director develops appropriate messaging strategy, identifies potential stories for inclusion, and provides feedback on report drafts. The Director helps with planning and organizing donor recognition opportunities—including campaigns and events for various constituencies—to ensure quality donor engagement and acknowledgment. The Director will develop annual performance goals and performance metrics and provide regular feedback regarding performance against individual and team goals.
The Director will have a deep understanding of and demonstrated ability with donor recognition, including digital and print reporting, gift acknowledgements, events, and tailored actions designed to recognize and celebrate giving by the most generous donors to the College. The successful candidate will be collaborative, innovative, strategic, creative, and intellectually curious and possess strong management skills.
About Harvey Mudd College:
Located in the heart of Claremont, California, 35 miles east of Los Angeles, Harvey Mudd College is a highly selective undergraduate liberal arts college offering degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. HMC enrolls about 800 students and is a member of The Claremont Colleges, which comprises five undergraduate colleges and two graduate institutions. According to students, professors, and alumni, what makes Harvey Mudd distinctive is its collaborative, cross-disciplinary nature. The working environment is built on collaborative relationships between and among all members of the campus community and a deep commitment to the College’s mission to educate students “so that they may assume leadership in their fields with a clear understanding of the impact of their work on society.”
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Develop, enhance, and manage recurring stewardship and recognition activities/events as well as targeted stewardship plans and timelines for Trustees, endowment donors, and major gift donors; collaborate with OCA staff as appropriate
- Oversee the effectiveness, quality, and efficiency of stewardship programs with an eye toward enhancing the donor experience
- Manage stewardship staff, fostering a positive work environment and opportunities for growth
- Manage the reporting, gift acknowledgement, and stewardship processes for donor gifts and institutional grant makers, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
- Develop and execute event-related goals and strategies for broader constituent engagement, including regional events
- Work with OCA staff to develop appropriate societies and/or events to recognize giving at various levels for specific programs or in a specific manner
- Manage partnerships with key campus stakeholders such as the Business Affairs Office, the President’s Office, Dining Services, and Facilities and Maintenance
- Oversee and develop all stewardship, scholarship, and donor relations related content of the website in conjunction with Advancement Communications
- Work with appropriate on- and off-campus partners to ensure compliance with donor requirements
- Work closely with the Director of Advancement Services and the Director of Advancement Research to oversee the stewardship database to ensure accurate reporting
- Effectively represent and promote the College to diverse constituencies
- Other duties as assigned
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum requirement of a bachelor’s degree in related field and five years of related experience.
- Demonstrated supervision and management skills. Must be able to work in a team-based environment and have the ability to direct and motivate staff.
- Demonstrated success in developing and executing strategic donor relations materials, reports, events, and plans.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, presentation, and organizational skills. Commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Strong computer software skills including MS Office, prospect management databases, and networked information systems.
- Excellent analytic skills to ensure data-driven results. Ability and willingness to travel, and work some weekends and evenings as needed.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience in a liberal arts college setting, working with alumni and donors. Familiarity with Harvey Mudd College. Seven or more years of experience.
OTHER
Hours: Usual working hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., requires some evening and weekend work and travel.
Classification & Status: This is a regular full-time, 12-month, benefits eligible, exempt position
Licenses/Certificates: Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and driving record acceptable to the College’s automobile insurance carrier
Reports To: Assistant Vice President of Development
APPLICATION PROCESS
Application Procedures: Please visit www.hmc.edu/employment to view a complete job description for this position and obtain information about how to submit an application. Information about HMC’s competitive benefits package is available at www.hmc.edu/hrbenefits.
Deadline to apply:
Position will remain open until filled.
All faculty and staff (including contract workers) who are employed at HMC and for whom the COVID-19 vaccine is approved/authorized by the FDA, must be vaccinated against COVID-19, and provide proof of vaccination, unless an exemption from this policy has been granted as an accommodation or otherwise.
Regular employment at the College is for no specified period of time; conditions and status of employment (hours, pay, title, duties, etc.) are subject to change at any time. Employees, and likewise the College, are free to end the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without notice or cause, unless otherwise prohibited by law.
The job description defines the essential or fundamental job duties of the employment position. It is assumed that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of this job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others. It may also include marginal functions, generally defined within Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
April 2022